DIY: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner. Cheap and effective!

CONTENTS: Ed's Red Bore Cleaner

1 part Dexron II, IIe or III ATF, GM Spec. D-20265 or later.

1 part Kerosene - deodorized, K1

1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed. Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS
#64741-49-9, or may substitute "Stoddard Solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or
equivalent, (aka "Varsol")

1 part Acetone, CAS #67-64-1.

(Optional up to 1 lb. of Lanolin, Anhydrous, USP per gallon, OK to
substitute Lanolin, Modified, Topical Lubricant, from the drug store)

              MIXING INSTRUCTIONS FOR "ER" BORE CLEANER:

Mix outdoors, in good ventilation. Use a clean 1 gallon metal,
chemical-resistant, heavy gage PET or PVC plastic container. NFPA
approved plastic gasoline storage containers are also OK. Do NOT use
HDPE, which is permeable, because the acetone will eventually evaporate.
The acetone in ER will also attack HDPE, causing the container to
collapse, making a heck of a mess!

Add the ATF first. Use the empty container to measure the other
components, so that it is thoroughly rinsed. If you incorporate the
lanolin into the mixture, melt this carefully in a double boiler, taking
precautions against fire. Pour the melted lanolin it into a larger
container, rinsing the lanolin container with the bore cleaner mix, and
stirring until it is all dissolved.

I recommend diverting a small quantity, up to 4 ozs. per quart of the
50-50 ATF/kerosene mix for optional use as an "ER-compatible" gun oil.
This can be done without impairing the effectiveness of the remaining
mix.

LABEL AND NECESSARY SAFETY WARNINGS:

RIFLE BORE CLEANER CAUTION: FLAMMABLE MIXTURE
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

1. Flammable mixture. Keep away from heat, sparks or flame.

2. FIRST AID, If swallowed DO NOT induce vomiting, call physician
   immediately. In case of eye contact immediately flush thoroughly with
   water and call a physician. For skin contact wash thoroughly.

3. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapors or spray mist.
   It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner
   inconsistent with its labelling. Reports have associated repeated and
   prolonged occupational overexposure to solvents with permanent brain and
   nervous system damage. If using in closed armory vaults lacking forced
   air ventilation wear respiratory protection meeting NIOSH TC23C or
   equivalent. Keep container tightly closed when not in use.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING "Ed's Red (ER)" Bore Cleaner:

1. Open the firearm action and ensure the bore is clear. Cleaning is
   most effective when done while the barrel is still warm to the touch
   from firing. Saturate a cotton patch with bore cleaner, wrap or impale
   on jag and push it through the bore from breech to muzzle. The patch
   should be a snug fit. Let the first patch fall off and do not pull it
   back into the bore.

2. Wet a second patch, and similarly start it into the bore from the
   breech, this time scrubbing from the throat area forward in 4-5" strokes
   and gradually advancing until the patch emerges out the muzzle. Waiting
   approximately 1 minute to let the bore cleaner soak will improve its
   action.

3. For pitted, heavily carbon-fouled "rattle battle" guns, leaded
   revolvers or neglected bores a bronze brush wet with bore cleaner may be
   used to remove stubborn deposits. This is unnecessary for smooth,
   target-grade barrels in routine use.

4. Use a final wet patch pushed straight through the bore to flush out
   loosened residue dissolved by Ed's Red. Let the patch fall off the jag
   without pulling it back into the bore. If you are finished firing,
   leaving the bore wet will protect it from rust for 1 year under average
   conditions.

5. If the lanolin is incorporated into the mixture, it will protect the
   firearm from rust for up to two years. For longer term storage I
   recommend use of Lee Liquid Alox as a Cosmoline substitute. "ER" will
   readily remove hardened Alox or Cosmoline.

6. Wipe spilled Ed's Red from exterior surfaces before storing the gun.
   While Ed's Red is harmless to blue and nickel finishes, the acetone it
   contains is harmful to most wood finishes).

7. Before firing again, push two dry patches through the bore and dry
   the chamber, using a patch wrapped around a suitably sized brush or jag.
   First shot point of impact usually will not be disturbed by Ed's Red if
   the bore is cleaned as described.

8. I have determined to my satisfaction that when Ed's Red is used
   exclusively and thoroughly, that hot water cleaning is unnecessary after
   use of Pyrodex or military chlorate primers. However, if bores are not
   wiped between shots and shots and are heavily caked from black powder
   fouling, hot water cleaning is recommended first to break up heavy
   fouling deposits. Water cleaning should be followed by a thorough flush
   with Ed's Red to prevent after-rusting which could result from residual
   moisture. It is ALWAYS good practice to clean TWICE, TWO DAYS APART
   whenever using chlorate primed ammunition, just to make sure you get all
   the corrosive residue out.

This "Recipe" is placed in the public domain, and may be freely
distributed provided that it is done so in its entirely with all current
revisions, instructions and safety warnings included herein, and that
proper attribution is given to the author.

In Home Mix We Trust, Regards, Ed